Episode 29: You Have to Choose

have to / don’t have to – Benjamin Franklin, 1776 (A1-A2)

Grammar Box

Meaning: Have to shows external obligation or necessity (rules, situations require it). Don’t have to means it’s not necessary, it’s optional.

Form: have to/don’t have to + base verb (I/you/we/they have to | he/she/it has to)

Example 1: I have to go to work. (obligation)

Example 2: You don’t have to come. (it’s optional)

Common mistake: Wrong: I have to going. Better: I have to go.

The Question

Luna saw two signs. One said “must.” Another said “have to.” “Are they the same?” she asked. The watch glowed softly. Professor Wisdom appeared. “Let’s visit the room where America was born.”

The Journey

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. July 4, 1776. The room was hot and humid. Fifty-six men sat together. They were choosing America’s future. Benjamin Franklin was 70 years old. He was a printer, scientist, and writer. He invented bifocals. He discovered electricity. But now he faced his hardest moment. He had to decide: stay with Britain or create something new.

This moment mattered. Britain was the most powerful nation on Earth. Rebelling meant war. Signing the Declaration meant death if they lost. King George would hang them as traitors. Franklin’s son was loyal to Britain. They didn’t speak anymore. Franklin had to choose between family and freedom. It broke his heart. But he believed in something bigger.

The room smelled of ink and sweat. Papers covered the table. Thomas Jefferson wrote the words. John Adams argued the points. Franklin sat quietly. He didn’t have to sign. He was old. He was rich. He could go home. But when the moment came, Franklin stood. His hand shook. He picked up the pen. “We have to hang together,” he said with a smile, “or we will all hang separately.” He signed his name. Big and clear. Benjamin Franklin. There was no going back.

Before this day, they were British subjects. After this day, they were Americans. Everything changed because they chose to act.

The Insight

“Franklin said something important,” Professor Wisdom explained. “‘We have to hang together.’ He meant it was necessary. We use ‘have to’ to show obligation or necessity from outside. Like rules or situations. ‘Don’t have to’ means it’s not necessary. You can choose. Franklin didn’t have to sign. But he felt he had to. Do you see the difference?”

“Have to” shows external necessity. “Don’t have to” shows freedom. Both are about choice and duty.

Practice Zone

More Examples:

“I have to go to work today.” – obligation from job
“You don’t have to come if you’re busy.” – it’s optional
“She has to wear glasses.” – necessity for seeing
“We don’t have to hurry.” – no pressure
“Do I have to answer that question?” – asking about obligation
“Children have to go to school.” – legal requirement

Exercises:

Fill in the blank: “You _____ eat vegetables if you don’t like them.” (have to/don’t have to)
Choose the correct:
a) I have to going now.
b) I have to go now.
Have to or don’t have to?
– You _ pay for the museum. It’s free today.
– Students finish homework before class.
– You __ bring a gift to the party.
Complete: “I have to _ every day, but I don’t have to ___.”
Your turn: Think about your daily life. Write two sentences: one with “have to” and one with “don’t have to.”

Answer Key:

don’t have to (it’s optional, not required)
b) I have to go now. (Use base form after “have to”)
don’t have to / have to / don’t have to
Example: “I have to work every day, but I don’t have to work on weekends.”
Check: Did you show obligation with “have to”? Did you show optional with “don’t have to”? Example: “I have to wake up early for school. I don’t have to cook because my mom makes breakfast.”

The Lesson

Luna smiled. “Franklin chose freedom even though he didn’t have to.” Professor Wisdom nodded. “The best choices are the ones we make when we don’t have to. That’s true courage.”